AFL Bombers vs Kangaroos Draftstars DFS Preview and Projections for Round 8, 2025
Last updated: Apr 30, 2025, 4:32PM | Published: Apr 30, 2025, 9:32AM
Draftstars Australia's AFL Bombers vs Kangaroos Round 8 DFS contest kicks off at 7:30pm AEST on May 1, 2025, and Fantasy Insider has looked at the data for each player in the game to help you create winning line-ups.
A handy Draftstars cheat sheet is a must for AFL fantasy players. This DFS preview is designed to help you assemble your fantasy teams for Draftstars' AFL contests and enhance your Supercoach team for Round 8.
Fantasy Insider, renowned for its world-class DFS tools and projections since 2015, uses the same machine learning models as Stats Insider to make some of the most reliable DFS projections available.
With the latest AFL fantasy insights and DFS strategies from Fantasy Insider, you're set to win in more AFL fantasy contests.
Cheat Sheet and Projections
We have reviewed players from each team in the Essendon vs North Melbourne match-up to help you find the best choices on Thursday's slate.
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zach Merrett (ESS, MID) | $16,970 | 108.7 | 6.4 |
| Value | Finnbar Maley (NMFC, RK/FWD) | $6,000 | 54.2 | 9 |
| Fade | Peter Wright (ESS, RK/FWD) | $12,350 | 70.4 | 5.7 |
| Cheapie | Jackson Archer (NMFC, DEF) | $6,000 | 48.5 | 8.1 |
According to Fantasy Insider's DFS model, our "stud" is the highest projected scorer across the slate, while "value" picks provide the most "bang for your buck," meaning they are expected to perform well relative to their salary.
Conversely, a "fade" is a player considered to offer lower value for money, based on their expected score relative to their salary. For budget-conscious strategies, "cheapie" options highlight the best value players at lower price points not already mentioned.
In fantasy sports, understanding value—assessing a player's potential output against their salary—is crucial, as players scoring high relative to their cost are key in crafting the optimal line-up.
The "Pts/$1K" metric shows the predicted points for every $1,000 of a player's salary. A higher number indicates better value, making it easier to spot players who could outperform their cost.
Positional Breakdown
DEF (Defender)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Harry Sheezel (NMFC) | $16,100 | 104 | 6.5 |
| Value | Jackson Archer (NMFC) | $6,000 | 48.5 | 8.1 |
| Fade | Archie Roberts (ESS) | $12,600 | 75.1 | 6 |
| Cheapie | Riley Hardeman (NMFC) | $6,000 | 47.1 | 7.8 |
MID (Midfielder)
| Selection | Salary | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Zach Merrett (ESS) | $16,970 | 108.7 | 6.4 |
| Value | Harrison Jones (ESS) | $7,790 | 58.9 | 7.6 |
| Fade | Jy Simpkin (NMFC) | $13,880 | 82.1 | 5.9 |
| Cheapie | Will Phillips (NMFC) | $8,870 | 64.2 | 7.2 |
FWD (Forward)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Nic Martin (ESS) | $15,130 | 96.6 | 6.4 |
| Value | Finnbar Maley (NMFC) | $6,000 | 54.2 | 9 |
| Fade | Peter Wright (ESS) | $12,350 | 70.4 | 5.7 |
| Cheapie | Harrison Jones (ESS) | $7,790 | 58.9 | 7.6 |
RK (Ruckman)
| Selection | Player | Salary | Proj. Pts | Pts/$1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stud | Tristan Xerri (NMFC) | $17,220 | 106.8 | 6.2 |
| Value | Finnbar Maley (NMFC) | $6,000 | 54.2 | 9 |
Please note that we will update our AFL Draftstars tips as soon as teams are officially announced.
Conclusion
When building your AFL Bombers vs Kangaroos Round 8 teams, consider starting with a value player like Finnbar Maley. To secure one of the highest projected scorers, Zach Merrett is a strong option. If you're seeking budget-friendly choices to free up salary cap for more studs, explore our cheapie options, including Jackson Archer.
On the other hand, according to our model, Peter Wright is one of the lowest value options in this game, suggesting you might want to limit exposure to him if entering multiple line-ups.
Ready to go? Draftstars' AFL Bombers vs Kangaroos slate closes at 7:30pm AEST on Thursday. ENTER NOW!
As with all AFL DFS contests, whether you start with our studs or build around our value picks, leveraging Fantasy Insider's data-driven AFL fantasy news and strategies, combined with your own research, can enhance your chances of winning in the AFL Bombers vs Kangaroos Round 8 contest. The unique insights here can give you an edge when you make your AFL DFS line-ups.
For the latest projections and optimised AFL Bombers vs Kangaroos line-ups, check out the Fantasy Insider Cruncher on Draftstars! It's free to use when you're logged in.
For more on this game, dive into our full Essendon vs North Melbourne prediction, where you will find the latest odds and tips for the main betting markets.
Please note that if you use our DFS tips for betting purposes, ensure you gamble responsibly and keep track of your money. For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
